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College basketball power rankings: The blessing and curse of the Big 12

By Mike Phillips

LAWRENCE, KS - JANUARY 31: Joseph Yesufu #1 of the Kansas Jayhawks drives against Keyontae Johnson #11 of the Kansas State Wildcats during the game at Allen Fieldhouse on January 31, 2023 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KS - JANUARY 31: Joseph Yesufu #1 of the Kansas Jayhawks drives against Keyontae Johnson #11 of the Kansas State Wildcats during the game at Allen Fieldhouse on January 31, 2023 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /
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Marcus Carr, Christian Bishop, Texas Longhorns
G Marcus Carr and F Christian Bishop, Texas Longhorns. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /

10. Week 14 College Basketball Power Rankings – Xavier Musketeers

  • Previously: Honorable Mention
  • Record: 19-5 (11-2 In Big East)
  • Last Week: Won 85-83 (OT) Vs. No. 17 Providence, Won 96-71 Vs. St. John’s
  • This Week: At Butler 2/10

The Musketeers bounced back from a blowout loss at Creighton nicely with a gutty overtime win over No. 17 Providence before bombing away from the perimeter to beat St. John’s. A showdown at Marquette looms on Feb. 15 but Xavier will have to be careful not to overlook Friday’s trip to Butler.

9. Week 14 College Basketball Power Rankings – Kansas Jayhawks

  • Previously: 9th
  • Record: 18-5 (6-4 In Big 12)
  • Last Week: Won 90-78 Vs. No. 7 Kansas State, Lost 68-53 At No. 13 Iowa State
  • This Week: Vs. No. 10 Texas 2/6, At Oklahoma 2/11

The Jayhawks hold serve after following up a tremendous performance (beating up the Wildcats at home to secure a season split) with a dud (getting pushed around at Iowa State on Saturday). Monday’s showdown against Texas is critical for Kansas, which can’t afford to lose to the Longhorns if they hope to win the Big 12 regular season title.

8. Week 14 College Basketball Power Rankings – Texas Longhorns

  • Previously: Not Ranked
  • Record: 19-4 (8-2 In Big 12)
  • Last Week: Won 76-71 Vs. No. 11 Baylor, Won 69-66 At No. 7 Kansas State
  • This Week: At No. 8 Kansas 2/6, Vs. West Virginia 2/11

The Longhorns deserve a ton of credit for weathering the storm of Chris Beard’s firing to surge into first place in the Big 12 on the strength of a 2-0 week with victories over Baylor and at Kansas State, avenging an earlier loss to the Wildcats. Winners of seven of nine (with the losses coming at Iowa State and at Tennessee), Texas can take full command of the Big 12 if they can beat Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse on Monday.

7. Week 14 College Basketball Power Rankings – UCLA Bruins

  • Previously: 10th
  • Record: 19-4 (10-2 In Pac-12)
  • Last Week: Won 70-61 Vs. Washington, Won 76-52 Vs. Washington State
  • This Week: At Oregon State 2/9, At Oregon 2/11

Mick Cronin’s team stabilized last week, sweeping the Washington schools at home to snap a two-game losing streak and maintain first place in the Pac-12. The Oregon trip lies ahead this week with Saturday’s date with the Ducks an extremely dangerous one since Dana Altman’s underachieving squad is talented enough to compete with anyone in the country on a given night.

6. Week 13 College Basketball Power Rankings – Marquette Golden Eagles

  • Previously: 7th
  • Record: 19-5 (11-2 In Big East)
  • Last Week: Won 73-64 Vs. Villanova, Won 60-52 Vs. Butler
  • This Week: At No. 24 UCONN 2/7, At Georgetown 2/11

A perfect week ran the Golden Eagles’ winning streak up to five as Marquette has won 13 of its past 15 games to surge into a first-place tie in the Big East. If Marquette can survive Tuesday’s trip to UCONN, they should be able to carry a seven-game winning streak into a home date with Marquette on Feb. 15 that could determine the regular-season title winner.